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Members of USC’s first-ever Navy ROTC class return to share inspirational stories - BY ADAM BEAM THE GAMECOCK eraon Sumwalt scans the room of Hamilton College looking for a chair to sit in — or at least a table to lean on. It’s been 60 years since he was a student in the first-ever Navy ROTC at USC, and his legs just aren’t what they used to be. Midshipman 3rd Class Stan Worthington, a third-year ROTC student at USC, spots Sumwalt as he sits on a folding table. “I heard you were telling some sea sto ries,” Worthington said. After the two find some chairs to sit in, Worthington fumbles his hat in his hands as he listens to Sumwalt talk of his days as a radar officer on the U.S.S. Phoenix. One night, when Sumwalt was the officer on duty, he had to dodge two torpedoes south of Minduro in the Phillipines. “I split 'em,” he said. “After it was all over and I went down to eat supper, I was shaking.” Worthington and the rest of USC’s Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps gathered on the Horseshoe to honor the first Navy ROTC class in USC history as part of Homecoming festivities. The offi cers honored the class, most of whom fought in World War II after graduation. The students did what’s called a “pass in review,” where they march past the view ing stand and turn their eyes toward the audience to show respect. “It’s a chance to meet some of the peo ple that really established this,” said Midshipman Battalion Commander Jeffrey Garcia. There were 13 members of that first class. Seven are still living. In addition to being a member of the first class, Dom Fusci was also a tackle for the USC foot ball team. He played from 1941 to 1943 and in 1946. During the middle of his football career, he had to go overseas to fight in World War II. While in Okinawa, Fusci said he got a letter from the Washington Redskins saying he was the team’s third round draft choice. “I showed the letter to my commanding officer and said I was needed in Washington and I wanted the next plane or boat out of here,” he said. “He looked at the letter and told me to get the hell out of here and get on the PT boat.” After the war, Fusci went on to play pro fessional football for three years. He is now a member of the USC Hall of Fame, as well as the South Carolina Hall of Fame, where he has served as president. He said his time at USC helped prepare him for life. “As a kid out of New York City, coming down here and being instructed by pro fessional Naval officers helped build my career in football and in life,” he said. For Sumwalt, returning to USC on Thursday offered him a chance to remi nisce on his life and visit with the students who are going through the same experi ences he went through 60 years earlier. “It feels good to know that I’m here 60 and-a-half years after graduating,” he said. “I’ve buried two wives, had six children, had 17 grandchildren and have two great grandchildren on the way.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com PHOTO BY MORGAN FORD/THE GAMECOCK Vernon Sumwalt, left, member of USC’s first Navy ROTC class, talks with Midshipman 3rd Class Stan Worthington at a reception Thursday. Friday October 24 @ 8pm Williams Brice Stadium (Rain location: Colonial Center) Tickets: 7$ advance, $9 at gate Available through Ticketmaster and RH Info desk 4fSSjjfer 1 " .. I ' HOMECOMING 2003 __www.sa.sc.edu/cp